New initiative will save more water than Project Jupiter data center uses: Oracle

KVIA on August 11, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

SANTA TERESA, N.M. (KVIA) — Tuesday, Oracle announced a new partnership to conserve more water than what the Project Jupiter data center uses in New Mexico. The new initiative is expected to save 21 million gallons of water a year, Oracle said.

With the company Arable, Oracle said it expects to save more than 20 times the amount of water needed to run cooling and power systems at Project Jupiter near Santa Teresa. The work will take place in the Rio Grande-Bravo watershed, which is the same watershed that serves the data center.

Arable, an agricultural technology company that aims to help farmers use water more efficiently, Oracle said.

“Our approach to water in New Mexico is simple: use water as efficiently as possible in our operations, then invest in practical, local projects that improve local water infrastructure, conservation, and availability for the community,” said Scott Twaddle, senior vice president, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

The program will use sensors in the field to track data specific to growers’ irrigation systems and crops, Oracle said. Sensors track crop water needs and weather conditions.

Oracle said the sensors help farmers calculate water use based on current conditions instead of fixed schedules.

Arable will train growers use the new data tracking, Oracle said.

“This program will help growers reduce unnecessary irrigation, maintain productive farms, and preserve more water for New Mexico’s communities and the environment,” said Jim Ethington, Arable’s CEO.

Arable’s new partnership with Oracle is the latest investment in connection to Project Jupiter water use. There has also been a $50 million commitment to improve local water and wastewater systems in Doña Ana County, Oracle said.

In June, Oracle announced an update to the data center’s energy plan with fuel cell technology. The data center originally had plans to sue gas turbines and diesel generators. Oracle said fuel cells make electricity without combustion, which lowers emissions and water use.

Oracle said Project Jupiter is expected to bring $4.7 billion in economic benefits, create 7,000 construction jobs and 1,500 ongoing jobs.

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Renting or buying: Where do Coachella Valley residents stand?

KESQ on August 11, 2026

Matthew Pearce

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — Whether you’re renting or buying, one thing remains consistent: The desire for affordable housing.

California ranks second in average home price, behind only Hawaii, according to a SmartAsset study.

Additionally, California ranks No. 48 when it comes to homebuyers under the age of 35. So, what does this mean?

Well, trends show renting has become a undesirable, but necessary, compromise. And with rent prices becoming more expensive than home buying, it’s become more difficult for people to save for a down payment, according to Southern California Association of Governments.

Additionally, homeowner ship by inheritance in California is at an all-time high, with 18% or 60,000 of all property transfers being from inheritance in 2025, according to the California Land Title Association.

To manage high costs, an increasing number of residents are opting to live together or move in with family members rather than pay market-rate rents.

“Unfortunately, there’s a lot of high percentage of families who are paying more than 30% of their income in housing,” CEO of Coachella Valley Housing Coalition Pedro Rodriguez said. “They pay 50%, sometimes 70%, which kind of takes away money that they need to live.”

To combat this, CVHC is developing affordable housing when and where they can.

“We have the multifamily development where we build apartments for farmworker families, for hardworking families,” Rodriguez said. “We have housing for seniors. We have housing for homeless veterans, housing for people with special needs… These are affordable housing developments where the families only pay 30% of their income in housing.”

For more information on CVHC, find their website here.

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Emergency trail closure on Teton Pass after human and bear encounter

KIFI on August 11, 2026

Par Kermani

JACKSON, Wyo. (KIFI) — The U.S. Forest Service has issued an emergency closure for part of the Bridger-Teton National Forest following a reported human-bear encounter.

The closure affects History Trail from the Trail Creek area to its intersection at the top of Teton Pass in the Jackson Ranger District.

According to the Forest Service, the closure is effective immediately while officials investigate the encounter.

The agency is asking people to avoid the area until further notice.

Additional details about the encounter, including whether anyone was injured or what type of bear was involved, have not been released.

Updates can be found on the official social media page of the U.S. Forest Service-Bridger-Teton National Forest

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El Paso Electric infrastructure damaged

KVIA on August 11, 2026

Olivia Vara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Electric crews reported damage to transmission structures and fiber optic communications lines, according to EPE Communication Technician Eddie Trevizo.

Trevizo described the incidents as vandalism of infrastructure the community relies on daily.

Pictures of damaged El Paso Electric equipment.

He said the targeted systems are essential public safety systems that keep power flowing to homes, hospitals and businesses.

Trevizo also said the men and women who build, maintain and repair the equipment respond at all hours and in all conditions. Some even worked overnight to repair the damage.

“Whatever our views on energy policy or local projects, violence and destruction are never acceptable responses,” he wrote.

He called on the community to condemn vandalism of critical infrastructure and keep the public conversation focused on facts, safety and respect.

El Paso Electric said, “While this event did not affect electric service to customers, damage to utility infrastructure can create significant safety risks and has the potential to impact the reliability of essential services.”

Courtesy: Eddie Trevizo

Courtesy: Eddie Trevizo

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New utility trucks arrive to keep El Paso County cleaner amid illegal dumping, flooding

KVIA on August 11, 2026

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso County revealed new rural utility trucks Tuesday. U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar’s Fiscal Year 2024 Community Project Funding helped bring three trucks to keep the county’s roads clean and quicken flood response, the county said.

Rep. Escobar submitted the project as one of her funding requests for FY2024 Community Project Funding. The county later received $550,000 to go into utility equipment.

The county said it acquired two dump trucks and one bulk waste loader grappler truck with the federal funding.

At a ribbon cutting, officials demonstrated how the new grappler truck can scoop up commonly dumped items like tires.

One of the new El Paso County dump trucks.

The trucks are expected to help mitigate hazards and threats to water ways and the water supply. Additionally, the equipment will help prevent solid waste accumulation that could lead to vermin and insect infestations, according to the county.

The trucks can also help with flood response and providing equipment for other projects in the county.

“When flooding occurs it brings down a lot of the trash and rocks and these vehicles are gonna help us with clean up,” County Commissioner Sergio Coronado said.

“Illegal dumping has long been a really persistent chronic issue,” Rep. Escobar said. “One of the things that was really needed in order to successfully execute all of those cleanups were these large dump trucks.”

County Commissioner Coronado said the Westway, Vinton, Anthony, Canutillo, Lower Valley and Far East El Paso areas suffered from illegal dumping. Rep. Escobar said places with deserted areas especially see it.

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KRDO13’s Josh Helmuth greets freshmen on first-day bus ride; D11 tradition carries on

KRDO on August 11, 2026

Josh Helmuth

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Colorado Springs School District 11 students are back in class, and this year every single one of them gets a hands-on learning experience outside the classroom tied directly to their grade level.

KRDO13 rode along on a D-11 school bus Tuesday morning for the first day of school, including a stop at Doherty High School, where an all-school welcome tradition greeted incoming freshmen.

It is called The Gauntlet. Hundreds of Doherty students and staff lined up to cheer every new freshman onto campus on the first day. The energy was loud and deliberate.

Hillary Hienton is the principal at Doherty High School. She says it is one of the best days of the year.

“We have freshmen coming in. They always look so nervous and scared, but we have older students who are super excited to see them,” she said.

One of those nervous freshmen was Brooke. She switched districts and did not know anyone walking in.

“I’m a little nervous because I don’t really know anybody at this school because I changed districts,” Brooke said.

When asked why upperclassmen show up so enthusiastically for The Gauntlet, one student kept it simple.

“Why not?” the student shouted with a smile.

Another said, “We build community. And welcome everybody so they can have a great time at Doherty.”

Beyond the first-day welcome, D-11 is launching a district-wide initiative called Peak Experiences. The program connects learning to life outside the classroom. The district says the goal is simple: every student, every school, every year.

Think of it like a “fancy field trip” where each grade level has its own assigned experience.

Preschoolers get Discovery Day.

Kindergartners take part in Kinderby.

First graders visit the planetarium.

Second graders participate in Nature Navigators.

Third graders connect with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.

Fourth graders ride the Cog Railway.

Fifth graders take part in Rocket Day.

Sixth graders do Lunar Quest.

Seventh graders compete in the Soap Box Derby.

Eighth graders participate in Chalktober.

And ninth graders take part in the Junior Achievement Dream Accelerator.

The district says Peak Experiences are designed to build critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills while connecting students to the Colorado Springs community.

D-11 is also a sponsor for the Rocky Mountain 5K at America the Beautiful Park on Saturday, Aug. 29.

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Santa Barbara-Based Direct Relief Mobilizes After Powerful Colombia Earthquake

KEYT on August 11, 2026

Patricia Martellotti

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara-based Direct Relief is mobilizing emergency medical aid after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia.

The earthquake damaged buildings and triggered a national emergency, leaving communities facing an urgent need for medical care and supplies.

Direct Relief is working with health partners in Colombia to determine where help is needed most and prepare emergency medical supplies for affected areas.

The response builds on years of work in the country. Since 2015, Direct Relief has provided more than $27 million in medical aid to Colombia.

The organization works with local health providers during disasters to help move medicines and other critical supplies quickly to communities in need.

Direct Relief is continuing to assess the situation as the full extent of the damage becomes clearer.

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City of Columbia revisits 11-year-old transmission line project

KMIZ on August 11, 2026

Demetra Alarcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia is hosting a set of meetings regarding a transmission line project that was originally approved in 2015, but has been stalled amid residents’ concerns about high-power lines near homes.

The meetings will be held on Tuesday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Activity and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash St.

These meetings will allow residents to ask questions and provide feedback on an upcoming project, which will connect the Perche Creek substation to the Grindstone substation with a 161-kilovolt line.

According to the city of Columbia, the route will follow Scott Boulevard south to Vawter School Road, then east along the Vawter School-Nifong-Grindstone corridor.

The Vawter School Road route proposal was unanimously approved by the Columbia City Council as the most cost-effective option for the project.

The cost was estimated at $35 million and expected to take eight to 10 years, according to the city of Columbia.

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Gov. Katie Hobbs names former Mesa mayor as running mate

KYMA on August 11, 2026

Dillon Fuhrman

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) – Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) announced former Mesa Mayor John Giles as her pick for Lt. Governor.

In a post to social media Tuesday, Gov. Hobbs wrote, “Arizona deserves leaders who put our state ahead of partisan politics. That’s why I’m proud to have former Mesa Mayor [John Giles] by my side as my pick for Lieutenant Governor. Together, we’ll put Arizona first, deliver real results, and keep moving our state forward.”

Former Mayor Giles, a former Republican, also posted to social media saying, “What an honor to join this historic ticket! Arizona, let’s get to work.”

Giles was one of the names on the governor’s short list of running mates, which includes two people with ties to Yuma County: Arizona Democratic Party chair Charlene Fernandez and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, who was born in Somerton.

Last month, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), who is Hobbs’ opponent in the Arizona gubernatorial election, named former State Sen. Sine Kerr (R-District 25) as his running mate.

In response to the announcement, Rep. Biggs issued a statement saying in part, “As Kamala Harris’ favorite Arizona mayor, Giles is aligned with Hobbs on all the issues that have hurt Arizonans the most over the past four years. From being ‘impressed’ with the Biden Border Policy to supporting the out of control federal COVID spending, which led to record inflation, to voting in favor of an ordinance to allow men in women’s bathrooms in Mesa, Giles has been an aspiring Democrat since he first voted for Joe Biden in 2020.”

Kerr also responded to the announcement, in a post to social media, saying, “Looking forward to the Lt. Governor’s Debate on October 5 with Democrat primary voter John Giles. We should discuss my Arizona Women’s Bill of Rights legislation and SB1583, which protected children from predators. Katie Hobbs vetoed both. Maybe John Giles can explain why.”

The 2026 general election will be the first time voters can choose a Lt. Governor for Arizona after Prop 131 was passed, with 55% of Arizona voters supporting the measure back in 2022, according to AZ Clean Elections.

AZ Clean Elections also said the Lt. Governor will replace the Secretary of State as the successor to the governor if the governor “dies, resigns, is removed from office or is permanently unable to carry out the duties of the Governor and serves until a successor is elected.”

The general election is taking place Tuesday, November 4.

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Teen sentenced to 2 years in juvenile detention center for killing 13-year-old in Las Cruces

KVIA on August 11, 2026

Nina Gallegos

UPDATE (4:59 p.m.): The defendant has been sentenced to the maximum of two years in a Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) facility.

“The respondent took the life of another 13-year-old because of his actions,” said District Attorney Fernando Macias. “That more than justifies a two-year commitment.”

During Tuesday’s sentencing, Macias showed a picture taken the day of the shooting, which showed the defendant holding the gun later used to shoot Carnero. Other pictures showed the defendant holding weapons.

Carnero’s family members addressed the court.

“I stand here today not just as a mother whose heart has been shattered, but as a terrified citizen of Las Cruces,” said Carnero’s mother, Janel. “My son Chris was the embodiment of pure love. I hope everyone loves like Chris.”

Under the conditions of commitment, the defendant will have any non-familial communications monitored.

The teen defendant will not be identified due to his age.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -– The teen who killed 13-year-old Chris Carnero will learn his punishment Tuesday. The defendant faces up to two years in a juvenile detention center.

On July 28, the defendant entered a no-plea contest of involuntary manslaughter and negligent use of a firearm by a person under the age of 19, according to Doña Ana County District Attorney Fernando Macìas.

Las Cruces police said the defendant, who hasn’t been publicly identified due to his age, shot Carnero March 30. He was later airlifted to an El Paso hospital.

The sentencing will begin at 3 p.m. Tuesday with Judge Robert Lara.

This a developing story.

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